I think it is on purpose the exams are hard. It keeps the test prep companies continuing to purchase test prep materials. It keeps the textbook companies in business and, of course, the test makers going as well. It’s a vicious cycle for us, the educators.

Virginia Lucia Avvento, retired
(via Facebook)

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Since the people who profit most from high-stakes testing are in the top 1 percent, let’s make the state tests worth 1 percent of a teacher’s rating.

Jim Woodbury, IS 318, Brooklyn
(via Facebook)

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I read Maisie McAdoo’s article about testing [Insight column, May 7]. I think her article makes clear what testing should be all about.

When I served as a UFT vice president, I had many meetings over the years with Board of Education officials regarding tests. I always stressed that tests should be used to help teachers help students, and not be used to punish students or teachers.

In other words, tests should give teachers information that would help them improve student learning and not as a punishment instrument.

The UFT understood what tests were all about so many years ago. I am very pleased to see the recent turn of events regarding the true role of tests.

Abe Levine, retired